STARKVILLE — It happened so quickly Starkville Academy boys soccer coach Matt Sykes couldn’t describe how it happened.
That didn’t prevent Sykes, a former standout goalkeeper at Heritage Academy and at East Central Community College, from describing the impact goalkeeper Logan Dowell had in denying a scoring chance in the opening minutes.
Seconds into the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Division III first-round playoff game, St. Joseph Catholic had a one-on-one with Dowell, who dove at the ball and made the save. Once the ball crossed midfield, it stayed there for almost the rest of the first half.
“I don’t know how the ball got down there. We weren’t focused and he was ready to play,” Sykes said. “Our keeper made a heck of a save to keep it from being 1-0 going into the second minute of the game. Heck of a play by their player and have to give my keeper credit. He made a heck of a play there.”
That play — which Sykes said “was a nice little bailout to allow us to stay on our game plan” — was Starkville Academy’s only real moment of danger in a 2-0 victory Monday night at the Starkville Sportsplex. Starkville Academy will play Heritage Academy, which beat Indianola Academy on Monday, in the semifinals at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Starkville.
Starkville Academy kept St. Joseph Catholic from generating any other scoring opportunities by winning most goal kicks, free kicks, and 50-50 balls.
“That’s what our game plan is, to win the midfield, and we did a good job of it tonight,” Sykes said. “I think, for the most part, we won every aspect of it.”
The relentless possession eventually created a goal for Nathan Pollan roughly 25 minutes into the first half. Senior Dalton Dempsey chased down a through ball in the left corner, gained possession, turned, and delivered a cross into the box, where Pollan finished with his head to the far post.
“That was probably the second biggest assist we’ve had all year,” Sykes said. “We’re finding out groove in the playoffs, which is huge.”
Athletic plays like that one by Dempsey happened regularly, although he didn’t score. Starkville Academy’s second goal came in the second half on a volley shot from well outside the box.
Porter Miles’ long throw-in just missed a defender and bounced twice into Sam Cox’s range. The volley, which Sykes called a, “dagger,” was a product of improvisation.
“My plan was to try and trap it and put it in from there, but there was pressure,” said Cox, a senior, said. “It was my last resort.”
Sykes hopes his team can build off the victory and play with even more poise. The Volunteers received several yellow cards, including one by Dempsey in the final minutes. But physical play is a trademark for the Volunteers, so it likely won’t disappear. Sykes said the key will be for Starkville Academy to play with passion and discipline.
“We’re a very physical team. It’s very rare when we are outfouled by the other team,” he said. “I don’t think it’s happened all year, honestly. We let one player get into our heads. We can’t let that happen. We have to focus on what we do.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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